Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 424
Lectionary: 424
The angel led me to
the gate which faces the east,
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Gospel MT 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the
crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Meditation: "Whoever humbles oneself will be exalted"
Who doesn't desire the praise and respect of others? We want
others to see us at our best with all of our strengths and achievements -
rather than at our worst with all of our faults and shortcomings. God sees us
as we truly are - sinners and beggars always in need of his mercy, help, and
guidance.
The prophet Isaiah warned both the rulers and the people of
Sodom and Gomorrah to humbly listen and submit to God's teaching so they could learn
to do good and to cease from evil (Isaiah 110,17).
Jesus warned the scribes and Pharisees, the teachers and rulers of Israel, to
teach and serve their people with humility and sincerity rather than with pride
and self-promotion. They went to great lengths to draw attention to their
religious status and practices. In a way they wanted to be good models of
observant Jews. "See how well we observe all the ritual rules and
regulations of our religion!" In their misguided zeal for religion they
sought recognition and honor for themselves rather than for God. They made the
practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were
supposed to serve.
True respect for God inclines us to humble ourselves and to
submit to his wisdom and guidance. We cannot be taught by God unless we first
learn to listen to his word and then obey his instruction.
One Father and Teacher
Was Jesus against calling anyone a rabbi, the Jewish title for a teacher of God's word (Matthew 23:7-8), or a father? The law of Moses in Scripture specifically instructed all fathers to be teachers and instructors for their children to help them understand and obey God's instructions (Deuteronomy 6:7)? Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of the Jewish people, in the presence of his disciples? Jesus wanted to warn both his own disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek honors and titles that draw attention to ourselves in place of God and his word. Pride tempts us to put ourselves first above others.
Was Jesus against calling anyone a rabbi, the Jewish title for a teacher of God's word (Matthew 23:7-8), or a father? The law of Moses in Scripture specifically instructed all fathers to be teachers and instructors for their children to help them understand and obey God's instructions (Deuteronomy 6:7)? Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of the Jewish people, in the presence of his disciples? Jesus wanted to warn both his own disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek honors and titles that draw attention to ourselves in place of God and his word. Pride tempts us to put ourselves first above others.
The Scriptures give ample warning about the danger of self-seeking
pride: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
fall (Proverbs 16:18). God opposes the proud, but gives grace
to the humble(James 4:6; Proverbs 3:24).
Origen (185-254 AD), an early Christian teacher and bible
scholar, reminds those who teach and lead to remember that they are first and
foremost "disciples" and "servants" who sit at the feet of
their Master and Teacher the Lord Jesus Christ:
"You have one teacher, and you are all brothers to each
other...Whoever ministers with the divine word does not put himself forward to
be called teacher, for he knows that when he performs well it is
Christ who is within him. He should only call himself servant according
to the command of Christ, saying, Whoever is greater among you, let him
be the servant of all."
True humility
Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart - the willing readiness to seek the one true good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why should we embrace it as essential for our lives? We can easily mistake humility as something demeaning or harmful to our sense of well-being and feeling good about ourselves. True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves honestly, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4).
Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart - the willing readiness to seek the one true good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why should we embrace it as essential for our lives? We can easily mistake humility as something demeaning or harmful to our sense of well-being and feeling good about ourselves. True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves honestly, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4).
A humble person makes a realistic assessment of oneself without
illusion or pretense to be something one is not. A truly humble person regards
oneself neither smaller nor larger than one truly is. True humility frees us to
be ourselves as God regards us and to avoid falling into despair and pride. A
humble person does not want to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look
good to others. Such a person is not swayed by accidentals, such as fame,
reputation, success, or failure. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility
and simplicity of heart?
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues
because it enables us to see and judge correctly, the way God sees. Humility
helps us to be teachable so we can acquire true knowledge, wisdom, and an
honest view of reality. It directs our energy, zeal, and will to give ourselves
to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others
willingly and selflessly, for their own sake, rather than for our own. Paul the
Apostle gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of
Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and...
who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians
2:7-8). Do you want to be a servant as Jesus loved and served others? The Lord
Jesus gives us his heart - the heart of a servant who seeks the good of others
and puts their interests first in his care and concern for them.
"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me
free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble
as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and
kindness."
 Be a Christian, Don’t Just Seem Like One |
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August 23, 2014. Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary
Time
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Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of
Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do
not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie
up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people´s shoulders, but they
will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be
seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love
places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in
marketplaces, and the salutation ´Rabbi.´ As for you, do not be called
´Rabbi.´ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on
earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called
´Master´; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must
be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles
himself will be exalted.
Introductory Prayer: Dear Lord, I believe in you because you became man in
order to reveal the Father’s love and the way your followers should live. I
hope in you because you have promised to be with us until the end of time. I
love you because you died in order to give me life.
Petition: Lord, help me to grow in my Christian identity and
commitment.
1. Practice What You Preach: The world needs witnesses more than it
needs teachers. It’s easy to remind others how things should be done; it is
much harder to give witness of an authentic Christian life. One thing is
content, and the other is personal example. When someone tells us the truth,
we should accept it – even if that person doesn’t live the truth he preaches.
Our following the truth should not depend on whether or not others live it.
And, if we find ourselves in a position in which we have the responsibility
of preaching or teaching catechism, we should sincerely try to live up to the
doctrine that we preach, which is not ours but God’s.
2. Being Christian: In his epistle to the Romans, St. Ignatius of Antioch
stated the importance of truly being Christian, not just being called one:
“Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not
only speak, but truly will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian,
but really found to be one. For if I be truly found a Christian, I may also
be called one, and be deemed faithful.” Christianity does not consist in
living our faith in an external or merely formal way, as the Pharisees lived
their religion, but in loving God to the point of showing that love in our
personal and public behavior. We should avoid in our behavior that which we
deplore in others. To be truly Christian, it is necessary to strive to think,
want, desire and love as Jesus did.
3. Being Humble: It’s all a matter of being humble. Once, St. Bernard of
Clairvaux compared the proud man to the top of a snow-capped mountain at the
beginning of spring and the humble man to the valley below. The melting snow,
which is God’s grace, cannot flow upwards to the proud man: Through his
attitude (he thinks he is at God’s level), he has put himself in a position
in which he is incapable of receiving God’s grace. On the other hand, the
humble man, since he is at the bottom of the mountain, fully receives the
water of God’s grace, and therefore he can bear abundant fruit. Only the
humble man can be truly in contact with God and let God’s grace work miracles
in his life.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to value my Christian
identity. I know that to live in a Christian way does not come naturally to
anyone. It can come only with your light and grace. Give me the grace to
contemplate you more deeply, so that you can be the standard for my actions
and reactions.
Resolution: I will give true Christian witness at home, at school or
at work.
By Father José LaBoy, LC
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, MATTHEW 23:1-12
(Ezekiel 43:1-7a; Psalm 85)
(Ezekiel 43:1-7a; Psalm 85)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v 12).
READING: Jesus denounced the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. He acknowledged that their teaching authority rested on the "chair of Moses" (the "chair of Peter" is a similar term for Church authority), but he warned his disciples not to follow the example of those religious leaders. The Pharisees enjoyed their titles of honor, and they liked to call attention to their phylacteries (Hebrew: tefillin) as evidence of their piety. These small leather boxes contained essential passages of the Torah, and were worn on the forehead and on the left arm (closest to the heart) during prayer. The tassels sewn on the corners of their garments (Hebrew: tzi-tzit) were a symbolic reminder to keep the Law of Moses. While the religious leaders demanded obedience to the minute details of the law, their deeds did not always correspond to their words. In contrast, Jesus was a humble servant and faithful teacher of the law of God's love and mercy.
REFLECTING: Are my religious practices motivated by piety or a desire for admiration?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, teach me to imitate your humility as I strive to serve your people.
Optional Memorial of Rose of Lima, virgin
Rose was born in Peru to Spanish immigrants to the New World. Her real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful baby that she was called Rose. As she grew older, she became more and more beautiful, and one day, her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. But Rose had no desire to be admired, for her heart had been given to Jesus. Rose worked hard to support her poor parents and she humbly obeyed them, except when they tried to get her to marry as she was devoted to her vow of chastity. Rose was a mystic, visionary, and received an invisible stigmata. Rose had many temptations and there were times when she suffered loneliness and sadness, for God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to God. Many miracles followed her death. A lay member of the Dominican Order, she was canonized in 1671 by Clement X, the first person born in the Americas to be so honored by the Catholic Church. Rose of Lima is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines and is represented wearing a crown of roses.
The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land
The most damaging thing about these Pharisees was that they lacked
charity and compassion in their dealings with others.We have an outer shell we show the world, and an inner kernel—our hearts and souls. The outer shell of the Pharisees didn’t impress Jesus because he could read their hearts. We hope we are living out of the word sown in our hearts, bearing fruit for our companions on the journey. If we care only for the outer shell our life will be pretence. There is probably a touch of the Pharisee in all of us. We do not always practise what we preach, but we have the blessed gift of sacramental reconciliation so we may discern our failings. Our deeds will flow from who we are—as a good tree bears good fruit.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Embracing Others
Father, open our minds and our hearts so we can be more
understanding of the obstacles faced by so many hurting people. Help us to be
more like Jesus in accepting people for who are they are and not for what we
think they should be. We ask for this grace through Jesus, your Son and our
model. Amen.
August
23
St. Rose of Lima
(1586-1617)
St. Rose of Lima
(1586-1617)
The first canonized saint of the New World has one characteristic
of all saints—the suffering of opposition—and another characteristic which is
more for admiration than for imitation—excessive practice of mortification.
She was
born to parents of Spanish descent in Lima, Peru, at a time when South America
was in its first century of evangelization. She seems to have taken Catherine
of Siena (April 29) as a model, in spite of the objections and ridicule of
parents and friends.
The
saints have so great a love of God that what seems bizarre to us, and is indeed
sometimes imprudent, is simply a logical carrying out of a conviction that
anything that might endanger a loving relationship with God must be rooted out.
So, because her beauty was so often admired, Rose used to rub her face with
pepper to produce disfiguring blotches. Later, she wore a thick circlet of
silver on her head, studded on the inside, like a crown of thorns.
When her
parents fell into financial trouble, she worked in the garden all day and sewed
at night. Ten years of struggle against her parents began when they tried to
make Rose marry. They refused to let her enter a convent, and out of obedience
she continued her life of penance and solitude at home as a member of the Third
Order of St. Dominic. So deep was her desire to live the life of Christ that
she spent most of her time at home in solitude.
During
the last few years of her life, Rose set up a room in the house where she cared
for homeless children, the elderly and the sick. This was a beginning of social
services in Peru. Though secluded in life and activity, she was brought to the
attention of Inquisition interrogators, who could only say that she was
influenced by grace.
What
might have been a merely eccentric life was transfigured from the inside. If we
remember some unusual penances, we should also remember the greatest thing
about Rose: a love of God so ardent that it withstood ridicule from without,
violent temptation and lengthy periods of sickness. When she died at 31, the
city turned out for her funeral. Prominent men took turns carrying her coffin.
Comment:
It is easy to dismiss excessive penances of the saints as the expression of a certain culture or temperament. But a woman wearing a crown of thorns may at least prod our consciences. We enjoy the most comfort-oriented life in human history. We eat too much, drink too much, use a million gadgets, fill our eyes and ears with everything imaginable. Commerce thrives on creating useless needs on which to spend our money. It seems that when we have become most like slaves, there is the greatest talk of “freedom.” Are we willing to discipline ourselves in such an atmosphere?
It is easy to dismiss excessive penances of the saints as the expression of a certain culture or temperament. But a woman wearing a crown of thorns may at least prod our consciences. We enjoy the most comfort-oriented life in human history. We eat too much, drink too much, use a million gadgets, fill our eyes and ears with everything imaginable. Commerce thrives on creating useless needs on which to spend our money. It seems that when we have become most like slaves, there is the greatest talk of “freedom.” Are we willing to discipline ourselves in such an atmosphere?
Quote:
“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna” (Matthew 18:8–9).
“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna” (Matthew 18:8–9).
Patron Saint of:
Americas
Florists
Latin America
Peru
Philippines
South America
Americas
Florists
Latin America
Peru
Philippines
South America
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 23,1-12
Lectio:
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
may we love you in all things and above all things
and reach the joy you have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
may we love you in all things and above all things
and reach the joy you have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 23,1-12
Then addressing the crowds and his disciples Jesus said, 'The
scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do and
observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do
not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on
people's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they!
Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader headbands
and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and
the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted respectfully in the market
squares and having people call them Rabbi. 'You, however, must not allow
yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all
brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one
Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called
teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you
must be your servant. Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone
who humbles himself will be raised up.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel is part of a long criticism of Jesus against
the Scribes and the Pharisees (Mt 23, 1-39). Luke and Mark mention only a few
lines of this criticism against the religious heads of the time. It is only the
Gospel of Matthew which has a longer presentation of this. This very severe
text makes us foresee the polemics which existed in the communities of Matthew
with the communities of the Jews of Galilee and Syria of that time.
• In reading this text, which is strongly contrary to the one of the Pharisees, we have to be very attentive so as not to be unjust against the Jewish People. We Christians, for centuries, have had attitudes against the Jews and, for this reason, against the Christians. What is important in meditating these texts is to discover their objective. Jesus condemns the lack of coherence and of sincerity in the relationship with God and with the neighbour. He is speaking about hypocrisy, that of yesterday as well as that of today, of our hypocrisy!
• Matthew 23, 1-3: The basic error: they say, but they do not do. Jesus addresses himself to the multitude and to the disciples and criticizes the Scribes and the Pharisees. The reason for attacking them is the incoherence between their words and their acts. They speak but they do not do. Jesus recognizes the authority and the knowledge of the Scribes “The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses! You must, therefore, do and observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they preach”.
• Matthew 23, 4-7: The fundamental error is manifested in diverse ways. The fundamental error is incoherence: “They say, but they do not do”. Jesus enumerates the diverse points which reveal this incoherence. Some Scribes and Pharisees imposed heavy laws upon the people. They knew the Laws well, but they did not practise them; neither did they use their knowledge to lessen the weight imposed upon the people. They did everything possible to be seen and praised, they wore special tunics for prayer and they liked the first places and to be greeted in the public squares. They wanted to be called “Teacher”. They represented a type of community which maintained, legitimized and nourished the difference of social classes. It legitimized the privileges of the great and the inferior position of the little ones. Now, if there is something which displeases Jesus, it is appearances which deceive.
• Matthew 23, 8-12: How to overcome the fundamental error. How should a Christian community be? All the community functions should be assumed as a service: “The greatest among you must be your servant!” You should call nobody Teacher (Rabbi), nor Father, nor Guide; because the community of Jesus has to maintain, legitimize and nourish not the differences, but rather the fraternal spirit. This is the fundamental Law: “You are all brothers and sisters!” The fraternal spirit comes from the experience that Jesus is Father, and makes of all of us brothers and sisters. “Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.”
• The group of the Pharisees! The group of the Pharisees was born in the II century before Christ, with the proposal of a more perfect observance of the Law of God, especially regarding the prescriptions on purity. They were more open to novelty than the Sadducees. For example, they accepted faith in the Resurrection and faith in the angels, something which the Sadducees did not accept. The life of the Pharisees was an exemplary witness: they prayed and studied the Law during eight hours a day; they worked eight hours in order to be able to survive; they dedicated eight hours to rest. This is the reason why people respected them very much. And in this way, they helped people to keep their own identity and not to lose it, in the course of centuries.
• The so-called Pharisaic mentality. With time, the Pharisees took hold of power and no longer listened to the appeals of the people, nor did they allow them to speak. The word “Pharisee” means “separated”. Their observance was so strict and rigorous that they separated themselves from the rest of the people. This is why they were called “separated”. From this comes the expression “pharisaic mentality”. It is typical of the persons who think to obtain justice through the rigid and rigorous observance of the Law. Generally, they are persons who are afraid, who do not have the courage to assume the risk of liberty and of the responsibility. They hide themselves behind the Law and the authority. When these persons obtain an important function, they become harsh and insensitive and indifferent to hide their own imperfection.
• Rabbi, Guide, Teacher, Father. These are four titles that Jesus prohibits people to use. Today, in Church, the priests are called “Father”. Many study in the University of the Church and obtain the title of “Doctor” (Teacher). Many persons receive spiritual direction and take advice from persons who are called “Spiritual directors” (Guides). What is important is to take into account the reason which impelled Jesus to prohibit the use of these titles. If these were used by persons in order to affirm their position of authority and their power, these persons would be in error and would be criticized by Jesus. If these titles were used to nourish and deepen the fraternal spirit and service, they would not be criticized by Jesus.
• In reading this text, which is strongly contrary to the one of the Pharisees, we have to be very attentive so as not to be unjust against the Jewish People. We Christians, for centuries, have had attitudes against the Jews and, for this reason, against the Christians. What is important in meditating these texts is to discover their objective. Jesus condemns the lack of coherence and of sincerity in the relationship with God and with the neighbour. He is speaking about hypocrisy, that of yesterday as well as that of today, of our hypocrisy!
• Matthew 23, 1-3: The basic error: they say, but they do not do. Jesus addresses himself to the multitude and to the disciples and criticizes the Scribes and the Pharisees. The reason for attacking them is the incoherence between their words and their acts. They speak but they do not do. Jesus recognizes the authority and the knowledge of the Scribes “The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses! You must, therefore, do and observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they preach”.
• Matthew 23, 4-7: The fundamental error is manifested in diverse ways. The fundamental error is incoherence: “They say, but they do not do”. Jesus enumerates the diverse points which reveal this incoherence. Some Scribes and Pharisees imposed heavy laws upon the people. They knew the Laws well, but they did not practise them; neither did they use their knowledge to lessen the weight imposed upon the people. They did everything possible to be seen and praised, they wore special tunics for prayer and they liked the first places and to be greeted in the public squares. They wanted to be called “Teacher”. They represented a type of community which maintained, legitimized and nourished the difference of social classes. It legitimized the privileges of the great and the inferior position of the little ones. Now, if there is something which displeases Jesus, it is appearances which deceive.
• Matthew 23, 8-12: How to overcome the fundamental error. How should a Christian community be? All the community functions should be assumed as a service: “The greatest among you must be your servant!” You should call nobody Teacher (Rabbi), nor Father, nor Guide; because the community of Jesus has to maintain, legitimize and nourish not the differences, but rather the fraternal spirit. This is the fundamental Law: “You are all brothers and sisters!” The fraternal spirit comes from the experience that Jesus is Father, and makes of all of us brothers and sisters. “Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.”
• The group of the Pharisees! The group of the Pharisees was born in the II century before Christ, with the proposal of a more perfect observance of the Law of God, especially regarding the prescriptions on purity. They were more open to novelty than the Sadducees. For example, they accepted faith in the Resurrection and faith in the angels, something which the Sadducees did not accept. The life of the Pharisees was an exemplary witness: they prayed and studied the Law during eight hours a day; they worked eight hours in order to be able to survive; they dedicated eight hours to rest. This is the reason why people respected them very much. And in this way, they helped people to keep their own identity and not to lose it, in the course of centuries.
• The so-called Pharisaic mentality. With time, the Pharisees took hold of power and no longer listened to the appeals of the people, nor did they allow them to speak. The word “Pharisee” means “separated”. Their observance was so strict and rigorous that they separated themselves from the rest of the people. This is why they were called “separated”. From this comes the expression “pharisaic mentality”. It is typical of the persons who think to obtain justice through the rigid and rigorous observance of the Law. Generally, they are persons who are afraid, who do not have the courage to assume the risk of liberty and of the responsibility. They hide themselves behind the Law and the authority. When these persons obtain an important function, they become harsh and insensitive and indifferent to hide their own imperfection.
• Rabbi, Guide, Teacher, Father. These are four titles that Jesus prohibits people to use. Today, in Church, the priests are called “Father”. Many study in the University of the Church and obtain the title of “Doctor” (Teacher). Many persons receive spiritual direction and take advice from persons who are called “Spiritual directors” (Guides). What is important is to take into account the reason which impelled Jesus to prohibit the use of these titles. If these were used by persons in order to affirm their position of authority and their power, these persons would be in error and would be criticized by Jesus. If these titles were used to nourish and deepen the fraternal spirit and service, they would not be criticized by Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Which is my reason for living and working in community?
• How does the community help me to correct and to improve my motivations?
• How does the community help me to correct and to improve my motivations?
5) Concluding Prayer
I am listening.
What is God's message?
Yahweh's message is peace for his people,
for his faithful, if only they renounce their folly. (Ps 85,8)
What is God's message?
Yahweh's message is peace for his people,
for his faithful, if only they renounce their folly. (Ps 85,8)
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